RoadVitals

2017 Nissan Leaf Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
17
Latest Jun 25, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
10
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2017 Nissan Leaf, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Electrical416.7%
  • Airbags416.7%
  • Fuel system312.5%
  • Powertrain (other)312.5%
  • Visibility28.3%
  • Body & structure28.3%
  • Brakes28.3%
  • Driver assistance28.3%
  • Seat belts14.2%
  • Engine14.2%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The manufacturer-installed 40kWh replacement battery has suffered an internal high-voltage isolation short to the vehicle chassis (Codes P0AA6/P31E7), creating an immediate fire and shock hazard. The component failed just 2 years after installation in 2024. Nissan is refusing to repair this severe safety defect because the vehicle's original body frame is past its warranty window.

NHTSA ID 11746566 · filed Jun 25, 2026

HELLO! I HAVE MY 2017 NISSAN LEAF SV WITH 30KWH BATTERY IN AT NISSAN OF TROY, MAINLY DUE TO TWO PROBLEMS. THIS IS A 2017 NISSAN LEAF WITH 30KWH BATTE HELLO! I HAVE MY 2017 NISSAN LEAF SV WITH 30KWH BATTERY IN AT NISSAN OF TROY, MAINLY DUE TO TWO PROBLEMS. THIS IS A 2017 NISSAN LEAF WITH 30KWH BATTERY WITH A DC-FC FAST CHARGE PLUG THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO CHARGE THE BATTERY ROUGHLY 15X FASTER THAN 6.6K LEVEL2/3 CHARGERS. THE KEY TWO PROBLEMS ARE AS FOLLOWS: A. DCFC FAILS TO CHARGE ON 2017 NISSAN LEAF AND CAUSES J1772 TO BE UNABLE TO CHARGE IT ANYMORE SUBSEQUENTLY GETTING A CHARGE IN A PINCH LEADS TO REALLY NEEDING A TOW TRUCK!! B. THE RANGE ON THE BATTERY DROPS DRASTICALLY ON A REGULAR DAY TO DAY DRIVE... THE OTHER DAY I LEFT FOR A 4.5MILE TRIP WITH 17MILES ON GOM AND BY TIME I DROVE 2 MILES RANGE WENT DOWN TO 11MILES. BEFORE I WAS 1/2 WAY LOW BATTERY INDICATOR WENT OFF AND ~1.5MILES TO HOME VERY LOW BATTERY KICKS IN. - I BELIEVE THE CAR GOM ALWAYS OVER ESTIMATES THE RANGE TO WHAT I'M ABLE TO DRIVE. IT CAN NEVER DRIVE UP TO THE SUGGESTED RANGE SO I MUST HAVE EITHER A BAD BATTERY OR A FAULTY BATTERY MANAGEMENT MODULE OF SOME SORTS ???

NHTSA ID 11387954 · filed Jan 13, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

My son and I were in a major crash on a freeway, we were hit by a semi-truck, sent into a spin, hit by another vehicle and stopped by slamming into freeway guardrail. The car was totaled. My son was driving and airbags on the drivers side all deployed but nothing deployed on the passenger side at all.

NHTSA ID 11716717 · filed Feb 9, 2026

Airbag light flashing. Airbag might not deploy in event of accident. Nissan service stated "code B00A0 triggered in SRS control unit. Failure within OCS circuit. Recommends replacement of OCS SENSORS and Control Unit." Stated my VIN is not included in all the other OCS recalls.

NHTSA ID 11584827 · filed Apr 23, 2024

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

HELLO! I HAVE MY 2017 NISSAN LEAF SV WITH 30KWH BATTERY IN AT NISSAN OF TROY, MAINLY DUE TO TWO PROBLEMS. THIS IS A 2017 NISSAN LEAF WITH 30KWH BATTE HELLO! I HAVE MY 2017 NISSAN LEAF SV WITH 30KWH BATTERY IN AT NISSAN OF TROY, MAINLY DUE TO TWO PROBLEMS. THIS IS A 2017 NISSAN LEAF WITH 30KWH BATTERY WITH A DC-FC FAST CHARGE PLUG THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO CHARGE THE BATTERY ROUGHLY 15X FASTER THAN 6.6K LEVEL2/3 CHARGERS. THE KEY TWO PROBLEMS ARE AS FOLLOWS: A. DCFC FAILS TO CHARGE ON 2017 NISSAN LEAF AND CAUSES J1772 TO BE UNABLE TO CHARGE IT ANYMORE SUBSEQUENTLY GETTING A CHARGE IN A PINCH LEADS TO REALLY NEEDING A TOW TRUCK!! B. THE RANGE ON THE BATTERY DROPS DRASTICALLY ON A REGULAR DAY TO DAY DRIVE... THE OTHER DAY I LEFT FOR A 4.5MILE TRIP WITH 17MILES ON GOM AND BY TIME I DROVE 2 MILES RANGE WENT DOWN TO 11MILES. BEFORE I WAS 1/2 WAY LOW BATTERY INDICATOR WENT OFF AND ~1.5MILES TO HOME VERY LOW BATTERY KICKS IN. - I BELIEVE THE CAR GOM ALWAYS OVER ESTIMATES THE RANGE TO WHAT I'M ABLE TO DRIVE. IT CAN NEVER DRIVE UP TO THE SUGGESTED RANGE SO I MUST HAVE EITHER A BAD BATTERY OR A FAULTY BATTERY MANAGEMENT MODULE OF SOME SORTS ???

NHTSA ID 11387954 · filed Jan 13, 2021

A SUDDEN LOSS OF PROPULSION WITH OUT AN AUDIBLE WARNING. THE VEHICLE OPERATES AT CREEP SPEED. I NOTICE IT BECAUSE THE CAN NOT ACCELERATE. A MOMENT OF CONFUSION SETS IN IN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS GOING ON. A TELL TALE LIGHT OF A TURTLE COMES ON. I HAVE TO WORK MY WAY THROUGH TRAFFIC TO PULL ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS IS A CONCERN ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. THE TELL TALE LIGHT GOES AWAY AFTER CYCLING THE POWER BY TURNING THE CAR OFF AND STARTING IT ALL OVER. IT GIVES ME THE IMPRESSION THAT THE TROUBLE WENT AWAY. THIS ISSUE OCCURRED ONCE A YEAR. I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT. IT IS NOW HAPPENING ONCE A WEEK IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS. SOMEONE CAN GET HURT IN THE WORST CASE SCENARIO. I BELIEVE THE WARNING LIGHT SHOULD REMAIN ON UNTIL THE ISSUE IS RESOLVED. I NOTICED THE ISSUE HAPPENS WHEN THE CLIMATE IS HOT AND I AM DRIVING WITH THE AC ON. THE BATTERY TEMPERATURE IS IN THE SAFE ZONE. NISSAN DIDN'T TAKE IT SERIOUSLY. I TOOK A PICTURE OF IT.

NHTSA ID 11364521 · filed Oct 15, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The manufacturer-installed 40kWh replacement battery has suffered an internal high-voltage isolation short to the vehicle chassis (Codes P0AA6/P31E7), creating an immediate fire and shock hazard. The component failed just 2 years after installation in 2024. Nissan is refusing to repair this severe safety defect because the vehicle's original body frame is past its warranty window.

NHTSA ID 11746566 · filed Jun 25, 2026

The reduction gear/transaxle failing. Metal in fluid leads to increased noise. Drivetrain will eventually fail and unsafe to drive. Case #56669999 was filed with Nissan Consumer Affairs and they have denied assistance for out of warranty repair. While the car is outside the number of years in the warranty, at 37K miles it is still well within the 60K mileage warranty. A drivetrain should not fail with such low mileage despite years in service.

NHTSA ID 11736530 · filed May 8, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

My vehicle (VIN [XXX] )remains listed as subject to a recall on the NHTSA website even though the remedy/repair was executed on April 3, 2023 by an authorized dealer/service center: Nissan of Downtown LA. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID 11521774 · filed May 12, 2023

WHEN TURNING LEFT THE VISIBILITY IS VERY POOR FOR A 5' 1" DRIVER. THE DOUBLE "A" PILLAR AND LARGE SIDE VIEW MIRROR BLOCK THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT THE VISIBILITY ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENTS ON A LEAF BLOG WEBSITE. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED WHEN TURNING LEFT AT A BUSY INTERSECTION AND AN OLD LADY FELL BECAUSE THE LEAF DRIVER DID NOT SEE THE PEDESTRIAN SOON ENOUGH DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY ON A CLEAR DAY AROUND NOON. THE LEAF HAD STOPPED WAITING FOR 3 VEHICLES TO PASS BEFORE MAKING THE LEFT TURN AT A SLOW SPEED BUT THE LARGE DOUBLE "A" PILLAR AND LARGE SIDE MIRROR BLOCKED THE DRIVER'S VIEW.

NHTSA ID 11306625 · filed Feb 3, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

My son and I were in a major crash on a freeway, we were hit by a semi-truck, sent into a spin, hit by another vehicle and stopped by slamming into freeway guardrail. The car was totaled. My son was driving and airbags on the drivers side all deployed but nothing deployed on the passenger side at all.

NHTSA ID 11716717 · filed Feb 9, 2026

THIS IS A NEW CAR LESS THAN 4 WEEKS OLD. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR HATCH NOT CLOSING PROPERLY DUE TO POOR ALIGNMENT DURING ASSEMBLY. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET THE HATCH TO CLOSE AND LATCH PROPERLY AND YOU HAVE TO REALLY SLAM IT. EVEN WHEN YOU THINK IT IS CLOSED, IT CAN POP OPEN WHEN DRIVING, PARTICULARLY ON A BUMPY OR POTHOLED ROAD. IT HAS YET TO OPEN FULLY, BUT IT IS VERY UNNERVING ON THE FREEWAY. WE HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER TO GET FIXED, BUT THEY SAID IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE 2017'S.

NHTSA ID 10970804 · filed Apr 5, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

7/21/22 -we left our property, brakes working fine, drove 1/2 mile, no brakes. Dash lights lit up, brake, abs, ! And anti skid. Finally jammed parking brake and regular brakes on, creating a grinding noise and car stopped. 7/22/22-Towed car to mechanic in Sonora, Ca…he said brakes working now. 7/23/22- drove car to Central Valley Nissan. New intelligent brake control unit was installed. Car has less than 36,000 miles on it. This part should not have failed. Part is available for examination. 7/23/22-I called Nissan Consumer Affairs to discuss the issue with the part, they said the car was no longer under warranty, so to bad, so sad.

NHTSA ID 11476870 · filed Aug 1, 2022

BRAKE FAILURE AT LOW SPEEDS. IN THE LAST EIGHT MONTHS I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE, TWICE THE CAR FAILED TO STOP WHEN I APPLIED BRAKES. I WAS GOING AT AROUND 20-25 MPH IN BOTH THE CASES.

NHTSA ID 11091422 · filed May 2, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

7/21/22 -we left our property, brakes working fine, drove 1/2 mile, no brakes. Dash lights lit up, brake, abs, ! And anti skid. Finally jammed parking brake and regular brakes on, creating a grinding noise and car stopped. 7/22/22-Towed car to mechanic in Sonora, Ca…he said brakes working now. 7/23/22- drove car to Central Valley Nissan. New intelligent brake control unit was installed. Car has less than 36,000 miles on it. This part should not have failed. Part is available for examination. 7/23/22-I called Nissan Consumer Affairs to discuss the issue with the part, they said the car was no longer under warranty, so to bad, so sad.

NHTSA ID 11476870 · filed Aug 1, 2022

I WAS DRIVING VERY SLOWLY IN A PARKING LOT, TRYING TO FIND A PLACE TO PARK. WHEN I WAS ON THE 4TH FLOOR I FOUND A SPOT, MADE A RIGHT HAND TURN, AND AS I SLOWLY TURNED INTO THE SPOT I TOOK MY FOOT OF OF THE ACCELERATOR TO PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR ACCELERATED AND CAUSED MORE THAN $16,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO MY CAR. I HAVE LEASED THIS CAR SINCE AUG, 2017. BEFORE THAT I LEASED A 2015 NISSAN LEAF AND NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CARE.

NHTSA ID 11064245 · filed Jan 22, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

SEAT BELT(BEHIND THE DRIVER) CAN NOT PULL OUT SMOOTHLY, IT IS EASY TO STUCK.

NHTSA ID 10947974 · filed Jan 27, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The manufacturer-installed 40kWh replacement battery has suffered an internal high-voltage isolation short to the vehicle chassis (Codes P0AA6/P31E7), creating an immediate fire and shock hazard. The component failed just 2 years after installation in 2024. Nissan is refusing to repair this severe safety defect because the vehicle's original body frame is past its warranty window.

NHTSA ID 11746566 · filed Jun 25, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .